Chapter Summaries

Chiba Makoto returned to the flower shop after enduring two nights of intense Zanjutsu battles with Unohana Retsu. In Hueco Mundo, Aizen Sōsuke appointed Sōya Azashiro as the King's Left Hand, then crushed the Espada's objections with his spiritual pressure.

• Yoruichi Shihoin noticed Chiba Makoto looked exhausted, and he blamed Soi Fon's harassment while hiding his battles with Unohana Retsu.
• Chiba Makoto met with Urahara Kisuke and the others, sent Kurosaki Ichigo, Ishida Uryū, and Inoue Orihime home, and returned to the flower shop, where Snopas and Nemu Kurotsuchi welcomed him.
• Aizen Sōsuke gathered the Espada in Las Noches and ordered Sōya Azashiro to stand beside his throne.
• Aizen Sōsuke appointed Sōya Azashiro as the King's Left Hand, prompting Tōsen Kaname and several Espada, including Yammy, Grimmjow, and Barragan, to show their displeasure.
• Aizen Sōsuke unleashed his overwhelming spiritual pressure to shield Sōya Azashiro and declared that the appointment was an announcement, not a discussion.

Aizen Sōsuke named Sōya Azashiro the King's Left Hand and asked him to find the missing Espada NO.0, Asura Yan Cheng. Aizen then began organizing Hueco Mundo’s forces and resources for an impending war with Soul Society and the creation of special Arrancar.

• Aizen Sōsuke overwhelmed the Espada with his spiritual pressure and made them recognize Sōya Azashiro as the King's Left Hand.
• Sōya Azashiro asked what his position required, and Aizen explained that he should stay at the King's side and handle minor troubles when needed.
• Aizen asked Sōya Azashiro to search for Asura Yan Cheng, who had vanished after fighting the former King of the Forest of Menos.
• Ulquiorra showed an image of Asura Yan Cheng, exciting Tier Harribel and Nel, before Sōya Azashiro agreed to look for him.
• Aizen began coordinating Hueco Mundo’s territories, forces, and Hollow resources for the coming war with Soul Society and the creation of special Arrancar.

During a peaceful summer in Karakura Town, Chiba Makoto spent time at his flower shop with Nemu Kurotsuchi and Yoruichi, whose flirtation left him wondering whether she suspected his secrets. Their quiet day ended when Shishigawara smashed the shop door and demanded to see Kurosaki Makoto.

• Nemu Kurotsuchi served Chiba Makoto seedless watermelon carved into rabbit shapes, while Yoruichi teased him about being jealous of her skills.
• Yoruichi flirted with Chiba Makoto, and he privately wondered whether she suspected anything about him.
• Shishigawara kicked in the flower shop's glass door and entered looking for the Quincy Kurosaki Makoto.
• Shishigawara admired Snopas and Nemu Kurotsuchi, while Snopas silently asked Chiba Makoto if he could eat the intruder.
• Shishigawara turned to Chiba Makoto and arrogantly asked whether he was Kurosaki Makoto.

Shishigawara confronted Chiba Makoto at the flower shop and demanded that he meet Tsukishima Shūkurō, who wanted to offer the Quincies Xcution’s protection. Chiba left Snopas to deal with Shishigawara and the shop damage, while Snopas led him into the basement and revealed that some physical contact was permitted—as long as Shishigawara survived.

• Shishigawara provoked Chiba Makoto and damaged the flower shop, while Chiba restrained Snopas from attacking him.
• Shishigawara identified himself as an Xcution member and said Tsukishima Shūkurō wanted to protect the Quincy race.
• Chiba asked Shishigawara to pay for the damage, then left the shop carrying Black Cat Yoruichi.
• Chiba told Snopas to handle the repairs and compensation, and Snopas led Shishigawara toward the basement.
• Snopas told Shishigawara that the Manager allowed a little skin-to-skin contact, as long as he did not die.

Chiba Makoto learned that Xcution might pose a threat and reassured Black Cat Yoruichi while refusing to let her investigate alone. He left warning barriers near Kurosaki Ichigo and Inoue Orihime’s homes, then returned to the flower shop.

• Black Cat Yoruichi warned Chiba Makoto that Xcution operated in Naruki City and was connected to Ginjō Kūgo, the first Substitute Soul Reaper.
• Chiba Makoto questioned why Xcution might target him and refused to let Yoruichi investigate without him.
• Chiba Makoto reassured Yoruichi that she was like family, then playfully nuzzled her while carrying her through town.
• Chiba Makoto considered asking Ishida Ryūken and Ishida Uryū to investigate Xcution, since Naruki City was their territory.
• Chiba Makoto passed Kurosaki Ichigo and Inoue Orihime’s homes, confirmed Xcution had not attacked them, left warning barriers, and returned to the flower shop.

Chiba Makoto questioned Shishigawara after Snopas captured him at the flower shop. Shishigawara revealed that Tsukishima had sent him to propose an alliance, and Chiba Makoto warned him that Tsukishima had used him as a pawn before leaving him to go downstairs.

• Chiba Makoto returned to the flower shop and found that Nemu Kurotsuchi had repaired the door and Rem was waiting upstairs.
• Chiba Makoto and Black Cat Yoruichi found Snopas had beaten and restrained Shishigawara, who refused to speak at first.
• Chiba Makoto threatened to bury Shishigawara, prompting him to give his name as Shishigawara Mo Xiao and explain that Tsukishima had sent him to invite Chiba Makoto into an alliance.
• Shishigawara admitted that Tsukishima had ordered him to act rudely to gain leverage in negotiations, and Chiba Makoto released him with a Reishi Arrow.
• Chiba Makoto warned Shishigawara that Tsukishima had either used his life to test Chiba Makoto or was unfit to follow, then left while Snopas ordered Shishigawara to escape through the window.

Chiba Makoto used Shishigawara to lead Uryu Ishida to Xcution’s hideout, while Aizen Sōsuke learned that Sōjirō Kusaka had returned in Hueco Mundo. Kusaka celebrated the upheaval in Seireitei and prepared to pursue the royal Divine Artifact, the King's Seal.

• Chiba Makoto let Shishigawara leave, relying on Reishi traces to guide Uryu Ishida to Xcution while staying in Karakura Town.
• Shishigawara reached Xcution’s secret apartment and reported his failure to Tsukishima Shūkurō, who planned to lure Kurosaki Makoto himself.
• Uryu Ishida tracked Shishigawara to the apartment building and found Xcution’s location.
• Sōya Azashiro told Aizen Sōsuke that Sōjirō Kusaka had been reborn in Hueco Mundo, and Aizen immediately left Las Noches to find him.
• Sōjirō Kusaka learned of Seireitei’s upheaval and announced that the King's Seal was nearly due to be transferred.

Aizen Sōsuke confronted Sōjirō Kusaka and learned that the King's Seal had restored Kusaka's soul and sent him to Hueco Mundo. Kusaka proposed joining forces to destroy Seireitei, and Aizen began by acknowledging Kusaka's past and his Hyōrinmaru.

• Aizen Sōsuke arrived and forced Sōjirō Kusaka, Yin, and Yang to kneel beneath his spiritual pressure.
• Aizen questioned Kusaka, who explained that the King's Seal had restored his soul and brought him back in Hueco Mundo.
• Aizen recalled that the King's Seal could control time, space, and dimensions, but using it would irreversibly consume a Soul Reaper's Reiryoku and life.
• Kusaka vowed to seize the King's Seal and destroy Seireitei, then urged Aizen to cooperate because he could sense its location.
• Aizen withdrew his spiritual pressure and told Kusaka he had once considered recruiting him, praising him as a genius who wielded the same Zanpakuto as Hitsugaya Tōshirō: Hyōrinmaru.

Sōsuke Aizen Hollowified Sōjirō Kusaka and manipulated him into pursuing the King's Seal as an experimental subject, while refusing to join his assault on the Seireitei. In the World of the Living, Chiba Makoto noticed that Kurosaki Ichigo seemed troubled when he arrived to meet him.

• Sōsuke Aizen dismissed Sōjirō Kusaka as unworthy of cooperation, then Hollowified him by cutting his throat.
• Sōjirō Kusaka emerged from the cave transformed, with ten Adjuchas-class Arrancar awaiting him, and vowed to use the King's Seal to surpass Aizen.
• Sōsuke Aizen told Sōya Azashiro that Kusaka's Hyōrinmaru was likely false and that he had manipulated Kusaka into using the King's Seal to evolve.
• Sōsuke Aizen said he would not destroy the Seireitei before completing the Hogyoku, and ordered Sōya Azashiro to speed up the search for Asura Yan Cheng.
• Chiba Makoto relaxed on a flower shop roof with Black Cat Yoruichi until Kurosaki Ichigo arrived late, and Makoto noticed that Ichigo seemed troubled.

Kurosaki Ichigo told Chiba Makoto that Chad Yasutora had been missing for more than three days, and Makoto brought him to the Visored Army’s base to train in controlling his inner Hollow. The Visored agreed to help Ichigo, while Makoto’s advice led him to consider understanding and coexisting with the Hollow rather than removing it.

• Kurosaki Ichigo told Chiba Makoto that Chad Yasutora had disappeared, and that Ichigo’s search across Karakura Town had found no trace of him.
• Chiba Makoto took Kurosaki Ichigo to the Visored Army’s abandoned warehouse base and said training there could help Ichigo control his Hollowification.
• Chiba Makoto advised Kurosaki Ichigo not to reject his inner Hollow, but to understand it and seek peaceful coexistence with it.
• Hirako Shinji and the Visored Army appeared, and Sarugaki Hiyori struck Hirako Shinji with a slipper after he praised Chiba Makoto.
• Black Cat Yoruichi’s remark about going home to sleep with Kurosaki Makoto stunned the Visored Army, who then welcomed Makoto and Ichigo inside.
• Chiba Makoto asked the Visored Army to train Kurosaki Ichigo in Hollowification, and they agreed to help.

Chiba Makoto persuaded the Visored Army to help Kurosaki Ichigo train and search for Chad Yasutora, while their members speculated about the Kurosakis’ relationships with Yoruichi and Rukia. In the Seireitei, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni ordered the captains to prepare for the upcoming transfer of the King's Seal.

• Chiba Makoto asked Hirako Shinji and the Visored Army to look for the missing Chad Yasutora and help Kurosaki Ichigo train.
• Black Cat Yoruichi supported Makoto’s request, and the Visored Army agreed after seeing how obediently she followed his instructions.
• The Visored Army envied Makoto’s strength and relationship with Yoruichi, then surrounded Ichigo to begin his training.
• Hirako Shinji and the others wondered whether Ichigo would also win over Kuchiki Rukia after Makoto had claimed Yoruichi.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni told the captains that the King's Seal’s storage location would soon change and ordered them to prepare secure escort plans.

The Tenth Division guarded the grand convoy carrying the King's Seal when Sōjirō Kusaka and masked attackers ambushed it. The Seal was likely stolen, and Matsumoto Rangiku recognized the mysterious cloaked figure’s voice and Zanpakuto as belonging to someone she believed could not be there.

• Hitsugaya Tōshirō explained to Matsumoto Rangiku that the convoy’s ceremony displayed the Thirteen Divisions’ authority and resolve.
• Lightning and fireballs struck the convoy, and Hitsugaya Tōshirō rushed into the smoke to protect the King's Seal.
• Sōjirō Kusaka revealed an identical Hyōrinmaru and clashed with Hitsugaya Tōshirō, who recognized his old friend from Shin'ō Academy.
• Matsumoto Rangiku arrived to find the palanquin destroyed as the cloaked attacker offered to cover the others’ retreat.
• The cloaked figure released All Things in Nature, prompting Matsumoto Rangiku to charge and demand that they remove their cloak.
• The grass on the clouds grew into towering trees that blocked Matsumoto Rangiku’s path.

Matsumoto Rangiku reported that the attackers used All Things in Nature while stealing the King's Seal and abducting Hitsugaya Tōshirō, prompting the captains to consider whether Chiba Makoto had returned. Unohana Retsu insisted the attacker was not Makoto, and Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni declared the theft a grave incident.

• Matsumoto Rangiku recounted the attack at an emergency captains' meeting and revealed that one attacker had released All Things in Nature.
• The captains questioned Matsumoto Rangiku's account, while she wondered whether the attacker could have been Lord Makoto.
• Matsumoto Rangiku said Soi Fon had also witnessed the phenomenon, and Soi Fon confirmed it.
• Kyōraku Shunsui asked Unohana Retsu whether Chiba Makoto's remains were still preserved, and Unohana insisted the attacker was not Makoto.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni struck the floor with his cane and condemned the theft of the King's Seal as a grave incident.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni issued an Emergency Order to recover the King's Seal, identify the attacker, and find the missing Captain Hitsugaya, while confining the Tenth Division to its barracks. Unohana Retsu soothed Matsumoto Rangiku's fears about Chiba Makoto and then found that many Fourth Division members wanted to join the search for him.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni declared an Emergency Order and forbade the Tenth Division from leaving its barracks.
• Matsumoto Rangiku objected to being kept from the search, but Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni insisted on his order.
• Unohana Retsu asked Matsumoto Rangiku whether she would fight Chiba Makoto or leave the Soul Society with him, and Matsumoto Rangiku struggled to answer.
• Unohana Retsu explained that Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni wanted to spare Matsumoto Rangiku from that choice and escorted her back toward the Tenth Division Barracks.
• Aoki Risa, Kotetsu Isane, and other Fourth Division members asked to join the search after hearing that All Things in Nature had appeared, but Unohana Retsu refused their requests.

Chiba Makoto investigated Xcution’s silence while Ishida Uryū and Kurosaki Ichigo went to inspect a Kidō barrier around Karakura Town’s outskirts. There, Soi Fon revealed that the Second Division was searching the area and sent a threat to Kurosaki Makoto before forcing them out.

• Ishida Uryū reported that Xcution had stayed inside its apartment, and Chiba Makoto wondered whether the group was baiting him or waiting for something.
• Ishida Uryū noticed a large Kidō barrier on Karakura Town’s outskirts, and Chiba Makoto sent him to investigate while remaining at the flower shop.
• Kurosaki Ichigo joined Ishida Uryū, and the two entered the barrier surrounding a forest.
• Onmitsukidō members confronted Kurosaki Ichigo and Ishida Uryū until Soi Fon stopped them.
• Soi Fon told Kurosaki Ichigo and Ishida Uryū to warn Kurosaki Makoto that she would visit him and kill him if anything he had told her was false, then expelled them through a gap in the barrier.

Kurosaki Ichigo and Uryu Ishida found the gravely wounded Hitsugaya Tōshirō and brought him to Chiba Makoto’s flower shop for treatment. Hitsugaya explained that the King's Seal had been stolen, and Chiba Makoto reacted sharply when he heard the mysterious thief’s release command.

• Uryu Ishida spotted Hitsugaya Tōshirō in the forest, and Hitsugaya collapsed with a severe chest wound.
• Kurosaki Ichigo carried Hitsugaya to Chiba Makoto’s flower shop, where Inoue Orihime healed him with Sōten Kisshun.
• Hitsugaya regained consciousness and tried to leave, but Chiba Makoto forced him to stay and recover.
• Chiba Makoto questioned Hitsugaya, who revealed that the King's Seal had been stolen and that one thief wielded Hyōrinmaru.
• Hitsugaya identified the Hyōrinmaru wielder as likely being his deceased friend Sōjirō Kusaka and described the other thief’s unusual release command.
• Chiba Makoto’s eyes narrowed when Hitsugaya repeated the command, “Reveal yourself, arrive, transcend—ultimate perfection of all things, the origin of everything!”

Chiba Makoto learned that a mysterious person had used All Things in Nature's true ability, while Hitsugaya Tōshirō insisted on pursuing Sōjirō Kusaka himself. Soul Reapers surrounded the flower shop over an attack on Ukitake, and Soi Fon ordered them to seize everyone as a sealing Kidō barrier closed around the building.

• Hitsugaya Tōshirō told Chiba Makoto that he had pursued someone wielding Hyōrinmaru near Karakura Town before being ambushed and wounded.
• Chiba Makoto realized the mysterious attacker knew All Things in Nature's true release command and questioned who they might be.
• Hitsugaya Tōshirō refused Chiba Makoto's help and said he had to settle matters with Sōjirō Kusaka personally.
• Soi Fon, Komamura Sajin, Kyōraku Shunsui, and Zaraki Kenpachi arrived with Soul Reapers from several divisions and surrounded the flower shop.
• Kyōraku Shunsui revealed that Ukitake had been attacked using several Zanpakuto abilities, including those of Hyōrinmaru, Zangetsu, and All Things in Nature.
• Soi Fon ordered the Soul Reapers to take everyone down, and a large sealing Kidō barrier rose around the flower shop.

The Thirteen Divisions attacked Chiba Makoto at the flower shop, but he blocked their opening barrage and confronted Kyōraku Shunsui. Chiba overwhelmed Kyōraku with his speed and strength, leaving the captain injured and forcing him to fight back.

• The Thirteen Divisions put nearby humans to sleep, raised a barrier around the flower shop, and fired hundreds of Hadō #31: Shakuhō at Chiba Makoto.
• Chiba Makoto formed a Reishi Barrier that withstood the barrage without damage.
• Kyōraku Shunsui urged Chiba Makoto to cooperate while warning that Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni could arrive through the Senkaimon.
• Chiba Makoto vanished, seized Kyōraku Shunsui, and smashed him into the ground, then criticized him for not using Bankai.
• Kyōraku Shunsui rose with his Zanpakuto in hand and swung at Chiba Makoto after the latter appeared beside him again.

Chiba Makoto overpowered Kyōraku Shunsui and escaped Ise Nanao’s restraints, while Soi Fon reacted angrily to his claim that he did not hit women. Chad Yasutora broke through the Kidō barrier, giving Chiba Makoto and the others a chance to retreat from the Soul Reapers.

• Chiba Makoto slammed Kyōraku Shunsui into the ground again, but Ise Nanao’s attempt to free the captain ended with Chiba Makoto breaking her restraints and gently releasing her wrist.
• Chiba Makoto told Ise Nanao that he did not hit women, prompting Soi Fon to question whether he considered her a woman and release Suzumebachi against Ishida Uryū.
• Ise Nanao warned Chiba Makoto that the Captain-Commander had arrived and that the barrier cut off his access to spirit particles from Karakura Town.
• Chad Yasutora blasted open a weak section of the Kidō barrier and called for Kurosaki Ichigo to hurry.
• Chiba Makoto ordered the group to retreat, and Kurosaki Ichigo, Ishida Uryū, Hitsugaya Tōshirō, and Snopas headed for the breach with Nemu Kurotsuchi and Inoue Orihime.

Snopas used the Rem doll to help Kurosaki Ichigo and his companions break free of the Kidō barrier, but the Soul Reapers pursued them. Chad Yasutora blocked Komamura Sajin’s Bankai strike and stepped in to face Kuchiki Byakuya’s attack, reminding Kurosaki Ichigo of their promise to punch for each other.

• Snopas used the Rem doll’s extraordinary speed to help Kurosaki Ichigo and the others escape the Kidō barrier, but Komamura Sajin summoned Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō to stop them.
• Chad Yasutora told the others to keep retreating and blocked Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō’s giant sword with his Giant's Right Arm.
• Kurosaki Ichigo and Ishida Uryū were stunned when Chad Yasutora held the blow, while Hitsugaya Tōshirō asked Kurosaki Ichigo how his human friend was so strong.
• Kuchiki Byakuya unleashed Senbonzakura Kageyoshi to close the escape route, and Kurosaki Ichigo tried to hold him back with Bankai and Getsuga Tensho.
• Chad Yasutora stepped in front of Kurosaki Ichigo to face the oncoming cherry blossoms and reminded him of their promise to punch for each other.